Got lots of left-over greeting cards? Here’s one fun way I found to use them with kindergarten and first graders. I sort the cards into two categories and the students try and figure out my rule. In the example above, I sorted the cards into pumpkins and hearts. It was pretty easy for students to figure that one out. But, after that, they can get pretty tricky and student really need to look carefully for similarities within groups: cats vs…
Above are the two estimation jars we used at a recent family math night event. Below are the estimation slips students filled out. Click on the image to print a copy.
A great activity to include during a family math night event is the estimation jar. Kids love to make predictions and they get so excited in the hopeful anticipation of being the winner. Including an estimation jar is also a great marketing tool. Kids will want to come to the event so they have the opportunity to make a guess, so be sure to advertise it. I like to include a jar for K-2 and another one for 3-5/6. The…
Here’s a great way to promote your Family Math Night event. Use students! They love the responsibility of going into classrooms to share the event and the younger ones soak up what they have to say. And I love that it’s a great leadership opportunity for them. I call them my Family Math Night Ambassadors and tell them that they are official representatives of our Family Math Night event. Training Students Training your Ambassadors is super easy. I usually use…
I was at one of our Math Medley Family Math Night events recently and was in awe of how the family math night coordinator had set up the room. It looked like fun party was about to take place! One of the things Suzy, the coordinator, did was to use colorful plastic table covers. I thought it was a brilliant idea. I’ve always covered my tables with colored butcher paper and it takes a time to tape down all the…